If you are considering becoming a mentor for an aspiring breeder, first I would say congratulations and thank you for doing your part to keep all that we love growing and flourishing. Next, there are things I would like you to consider. Becoming a mentor should not be undertaken without a lot of soul-searching on […]

The Breeder Toolkit is a valuable resource for breeders, and we are always looking for ways to make it even better. Here, learn about the latest improvements – and look for more great changes to come! First, we’ve added a link that that will take you to our Breeder Programs & Services page. This page […]

A recent warning by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) claims that the time-honored tradition of throwing a stick to your dog can put your pet at risk of getting hurt. Sticks, the veterinarians claim, can puncture the dog’s mouth or cause other problems, like obstructions, splinters, and infections. "Our message is that these injuries are […]

So many factors conspire against show-giving clubs that the variables can seem daunting, even up until the playing of The National Anthem. But the satisfaction of hosting a successful event can put all the challenges behind the committee, building optimism for next year’s shows. Finally, the Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association (SVDFA) rediscovered that positive […]

Maple and her owner Susan Stejskal have won the 2025 Award for Canine Excellence in the Search and Rescue - Human Remains Detection category.

What are the common causes of dog limping, and when should you take your limping dog to the vet? Learn what to look for and what to do.

Your beautiful litter is growing and looking for new things to explore. What can you provide your puppies during these crucial development weeks? Create a world of fun sights, sounds and textures, all from items found at your local Tractor Supply Company! First, set up an appropriately sized exercise pen to contain the puppy fun. […]

Life was a lot different for James Isaac before he got Mahe. James, a 9-year-old boy from New Zealand, has autism and is in danger of wandering into traffic or other areas where he could get hurt. Two years ago, Assistance Dogs New Zealand paired James with Mahe, a black Labrador Retriever trained in helping […]

Dogs can eat bread in small amounts. Learn what ingredients that appear in bread to avoid giving your dog, from garlic to raisins.

This story originally appeared in the summer 2012 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News and later was reprinted in a 2013 issue of AKC Family Dog magazine. The story won first place in the 2013 Dog Writers Association of America writing competition in the category of “Magazine Feature Article with the topic of Rescue.”Since […]